THE DTI-Bagong Pilipinas National Food Fair begins Wednesday, 8 April, highlighting the products of 320 micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) across the Philippines, including coconut, halal, and OFW-led enterprises.
Photo by Abegail Esquierda for DAILY TRIBUNE
Asia United Bank (AUB) is rolling out generative artificial intelligence (AI) to expand lending to micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and boost its digital banking services for long-term growth.
The listed lender said Wednesday that its AI-driven strategy will use predictive analytics to offer pre-approved credit lines to MSMEs while providing millions of its digital users with real-time, personalized financial advice through generative AI.
The bank said its board, led by newly elected Chairman Abraham T. Co, approved an amendment to its articles of incorporation to increase its authorized capital stock to P72.50 billion from P14.70 billion, subject to shareholder approval.
The board also approved cash dividends totaling P2.50 per share, to be paid in three tranches: P1.00 per share by 30 July 30; P1.00 per share by the end of September; and P0.50 per share by 18 December, in accordance with Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) rules.
It likewise approved a 100 percent stock dividend, subject to shareholder and regulatory approvals.
AUB said the strategy builds on its record 2025 performance, with net income rising 12 percent to an all-time high of P12.7 billion. Total assets expanded 13 percent to P435 billion, while its commercial lending portfolio grew to P276 billion.
The bank also maintained a non-performing loan ratio of 0.38 percent, below the banking industry's 1.18 percent average.
"These achievements are the result of disciplined credit underwriting, rigorous portfolio monitoring, early risk detection, and agile remedial management, enabling us to work proactively with our borrowers while safeguarding the bank's asset quality," AUB President Manuel A. Gomez said.
On the digital front, AUB said its HelloMoney e-wallet had nearly 9 million users by the end of 2025. Through the Alipay+ network, users can transact in China and nearly 60 other countries, while the platform also offers direct access to government Treasury bills through HelloInvest.
The bank is also expanding its merchant ecosystem with the rollout of AUB PayMate Business, which offers automated invoicing and real-time inventory financing tailored for MSMEs.
"At AUB, we view shifting economic horizons not as boundaries that constrain us, but as frontiers we are already crossing," Gomez said.
"By seamlessly connecting traditional banking stability with the limitless possibilities of digital innovation, we have built a bridge capable of withstanding global uncertainty and generating long-term, sustainable value for our stakeholders, customers, and communities."
